Peer review has a mixed reputation among teachers, partly because it often devolves into students saying nice things or marking commas. Used well, however, it can improve essays on a demanding text like Gift considerably. The trick is giving students a structure that directs their attention to the right features of an argument.

Before any peer review session, make sure students understand the rubric. Reviewers cannot offer meaningful feedback if they do not know what a strong thesis or a well-explained piece of evidence looks like. A short practice round on a sample paragraph, done together as a class, sets the standard.

Limit the scope of each session. Asking reviewers to evaluate everything at once leads to scattered comments, while focusing on one or two features produces feedback the writer can use. For example, one session might address thesis and evidence, with organization saved for another.

Give Reviewers Specific Tasks

Replace open-ended instructions like give feedback with concrete tasks. Ask the reviewer to underline the thesis, circle each piece of evidence from the novel, and write one question the essay does not yet answer. These actions require attention and produce comments that are easy to act on.

• Underline the thesis and restate it in your own words
• Mark every moment where the essay cites a specific scene
• Identify one claim that needs more support
• Write one question that a skeptical reader might ask
• Name the strongest paragraph and explain why

Where AI Fits In

AI feedback can act as an additional reader alongside peers, especially in classes where students are hesitant to critique each other. A student can submit a draft, receive rubric-aligned suggestions, and then bring those to a peer conversation. The AI offers an immediate first look, while the peer provides the human response of a real reader.

Teachers should make clear that both sources of feedback are advice, not verdicts. Students decide what to adopt and must be able to explain their choices. This keeps ownership of the essay with the writer and develops judgment.

Manage the Logistics

Peer review takes class time, so plan it carefully. Pairs usually work better than larger groups, and a fifteen-minute exchange is often enough when tasks are specific. Collect the review sheets so you can see the quality of feedback and hold reviewers accountable.

Consider grading the review itself in a small way. A few points for thoughtful, specific comments signals that reviewing matters. Over time, students learn that reading someone else's argument critically also sharpens their own.

Follow Up With Revision

Peer feedback is only valuable if it leads to changes. Ask students to submit a short revision memo explaining which suggestions they used, which they rejected, and why. This reflection shows you how they are thinking about their own writing.

When you grade the final essay, you can see the progress from draft to finished piece. That evidence of growth is often more instructive than the final score alone. It also encourages students to treat writing as a process rather than a one-shot performance.